U.S. patent application number 12/327639 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for non-ambipolar radio-frequency plasma electron source and systems and methods for generating electron beams.
Invention is credited to Scott Baalrud, Noah Hershkowitz, Benjamin Longmier.
Application Number | 20090140176 12/327639 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39187603 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090140176 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hershkowitz; Noah ; et
al. |
June 4, 2009 |
NON-AMBIPOLAR RADIO-FREQUENCY PLASMA ELECTRON SOURCE AND SYSTEMS
AND METHODS FOR GENERATING ELECTRON BEAMS
Abstract
An electron generating device extracts electrons, through an
electron sheath, from plasma produced using RF fields. The electron
sheath is located near a grounded ring at one end of a negatively
biased conducting surface, which is normally a cylinder. Extracted
electrons pass through the grounded ring in the presence of a
steady state axial magnetic field. Sufficiently large magnetic
fields and/or RF power into the plasma allow for helicon plasma
generation. The ion loss area is sufficiently large compared to the
electron loss area to allow for total non-ambipolar extraction of
all electrons leaving the plasma. Voids in the negatively-biased
conducting surface allow the time-varying magnetic fields provided
by the antenna to inductively couple to the plasma within the
conducting surface. The conducting surface acts as a Faraday
shield, which reduces any time-varying electric fields from
entering the conductive surface, i.e. blocks capacitive coupling
between the antenna and the plasma.
Inventors: |
Hershkowitz; Noah; (Madison,
WI) ; Longmier; Benjamin; (Madison, WI) ;
Baalrud; Scott; (Madison, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LATHROP & CLARK LLP
740 REGENT STREET SUITE 400, P.O. BOX 1507
MADISON
WI
537011507
US
|
Family ID: |
39187603 |
Appl. No.: |
12/327639 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11427273 |
Jun 28, 2006 |
7498592 |
|
|
12327639 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
250/492.3 ;
250/493.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01J 37/077 20130101;
H01J 3/025 20130101; H05H 1/54 20130101; F03H 1/0025 20130101; H01J
2237/31 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
250/492.3 ;
250/493.1 |
International
Class: |
A61N 5/00 20060101
A61N005/00 |
Goverment Interests
[0002] The subject matter of this application was made with U.S.
Government support awarded by the following agencies: NASA Glenn
Research Center, Grant NNC04GA82G and U.S. Department of Energy,
Grant DEFG0297ER54437. The United States has certain rights in this
invention.
Claims
1. An electron beam generating device, comprising: a first chamber
usable to contain a feed gas and a plasma formed using the feed
gas, the first chamber having a first end wall having an opening
through which the feed gas is able to exit the first chamber; a gas
supply tube usable to supply the feed gas into the first chamber,
the gas supply tube extending at least into the first chamber; a
conductive surface provided within the first chamber, the
conductive surface electrically connected to an at least relatively
negative potential source that is usable to place an at least
relatively negative potential onto the conductive surface; at least
one radio-frequency antenna placed around the first chamber and
usable to ionize the feed gas within the first chamber to form a
plasma; and an electron extraction ring provided adjacent to the
first end wall of the first chamber and relative to the opening in
the first end wall, the electron extraction ring electrically
connected to a reference ground potential source and having an
electron extraction aperture, wherein: the potential placed on the
conductive surface is negative relative to the plasma and the
electron extraction ring; at least an electron sheath forms within
the first chamber relative to the electron extraction ring, the
electron sheath permitting electrons and neutral particles to pass
out of the plasma toward the electron extraction ring and
preventing positively-charged ions from moving towards the electron
extraction ring; and the electron extraction ring extracts and
outputs at least a beam of electrons from the electron beam
generating device.
2. The electron beam generating device of claim 1, further
comprising at least one magnet located adjacent to the first
chamber, the at least one magnet arranged such that a generally
solenoidal magnetic field extends along an axial direction of the
first chamber.
3. The electron beam generating device of claim 2, wherein the at
least one magnet is at least one permanent magnet.
4. The electron beam generating device of claim 2, wherein the at
least one magnet is at least one electromagnet.
5. The electron beam generating device of claim 4, wherein the at
least one electromagnet generates a substantially time-constant
magnetic field.
6. The electron beam generating device of claim 2, wherein the at
least one magnet is a cylindrical-prism-shaped or
polygonal-prism-shaped magnet having a central passage extending
along the axial direction of the magnet, the first chamber
extending through the central passage such that the at least one
magnet extends around the first chamber.
7. The electron beam generating device of claim 2, wherein the at
least one magnet is a cylindrical-prism-shaped or
polygonal-prism-shaped magnet, the at least one magnet positioned
adjacent to a second end wall of the first chamber.
8. The electron beam generating device of claim 7, wherein the at
least one magnet is a cylindrical-prism-shaped or
polygonal-prism-shaped magnet having at least one passage extending
along the axial direction of the magnet, the gas supply tube
extends through at least one of the at least one passage in the
magnet and at least the second end wall of the first chamber.
9. The electron beam generating device of claim 2, wherein the
solenoidal magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet
increases a plasma density of the plasma formed within the first
chamber.
10. The electron beam generating device of claim 2, wherein the
solenoidal magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet
improves a uniformity of the electron beam output by the electron
beam generating device.
11. The electron beam generating device of claim 2, wherein the
solenoidal magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet
decreases a fraction of electron current that is drawn to the
electron extraction ring.
12. The electron beam generating device of claim 2, wherein: a
time-varying electric signal is applied to the at least one
radio-frequency antenna to generate time-varying electric and
magnetic fields around the at least one radio-frequency antenna;
and a strength of the solenoidal magnetic field generated by the at
least one magnet and a power of the time-varying magnetic field
generated by the at least one radio-frequency antenna are
sufficient to excite helicon waves within the plasma formed in the
first chamber.
13. The electron beam generating device of claim 2, wherein the
solenoidal magnetic field extends axially through the electron
extraction aperture and is substantially uniform across the
electron extraction aperture.
14. The electron beam generating device of claim 1, wherein a
plurality of electrons are output from the electron beam generating
device for each feed gas particle output from the electron beam
generating device.
15. The electron beam generating device of claim 1, wherein a
uniform plasma potential forms across the area of the electron
extraction aperture.
16. An electron beam generating device, comprising: a first chamber
usable to contain a feed gas and a plasma formed using the feed
gas, the first chamber having a first end wall having an opening
through which the feed gas is able to exit the first chamber; a
conductive chamber provided within the first chamber, the
conductive chamber having at least a circumferential wall than
extends circumferentially within the first chamber, a first end
wall and an electron extraction end wall, an aperture formed in the
electron extraction end wall that allows electrons and neutral
particles to exit the conductive chamber, the conductive chamber
electrically connected to an at least relatively negative potential
source that is usable to place an at least relatively negative
potential onto the conductive chamber; a gas supply tube usable to
supply the feed gas into the conductive chamber, the gas supply
tube extending into the first chamber and the conductive chamber;
at least one radio-frequency antenna placed around the first
chamber and usable to ionize the feed gas within the conductive
chamber into the plasma; and a conductive end wall of the first
chamber provided adjacent to the extraction end wall of the
conductive chamber, the conductive end wall having a second
aperture located relative to the aperture in the extraction end
wall, wherein: at least an electron sheath forms within the first
chamber relative to the aperture provided in the extraction end
wall, the electron sheath permitting electrons and neutral
particles to pass out of the plasma toward the aperture provided in
the extraction end wall and preventing positively-charged ions from
moving towards the aperture provided in the extraction end wall;
and the extraction end wall extracts and outputs at least a beam of
electrons from the electron beam generating device.
17. A method for generating a beam of electrons, comprising:
supplying an amount of feed gas to into a plasma region of a first
chamber, the first chamber enclosing the plasma region, a
conductive surface provided within the first chamber around the
plasma region and an electron extraction ring provided at one end
of the first chamber, a generally constant solenoidal magnetic
field provided to the first chamber, a first potential applied to
the electron extraction ring, a relatively-negative second
potential applied to the conductive surface; applying a
time-varying radio-frequency signal to at least one antenna
provided around the first chamber; generating time varying
radio-frequency electric and magnetic fields based on the
time-varying radio-frequency signal applied to the at least one
antenna; ionizing at least some of the supplied amount of feed gas
to form a plasma within the plasma region, the plasma containing
free electrons and free positively-charged ions; attracting at
least some of the free electrons to the electron extraction ring
through an electron sheath; attracting at least some of the free
positively-charged ions to the conductive surface through an ion
sheath; converting the attracted positively-charged ions back into
neutral feed gas particles, the neutral feed gas particles
returning to the plasma region, where they are available to be
re-ionized into the plasma.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/427,273, filed Jun. 28, 2006, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention is directed to systems, methods and devices
for generating an electron beam.
[0005] 2. Related Art
[0006] Electron beam sources are widely used in a variety of
applications. Electron beam generators are used both as sources for
the electron beams themselves, as charge neutralizers for charged
ion beams, to produce protective thermal spacecraft coatings, to
form plasma-assisted thin films, and to deposit optical coatings,
such as, for example, for large mirrors, in forming metallized
packaging films and in electron beam evaporation, electron beam
surface modification, thin film growth, plasma-assisted chemical
vapor deposition, plasma vapor deposition, electron beam curing,
waste handling, and electron beam reactive deposition.
[0007] Ion beams are used both in the semiconductor manufacturing
industry and many other industries, as well as in many satellites
and other spacecraft, and other applications. In such satellites
and other spacecraft, ion beams are used as thrusters to maneuver
the satellites or other spacecraft. In the semiconductor industry,
ion beams are used for a variety of purposes, including etching,
ion implantation, doping, sputtering, and the like.
[0008] In both semiconductor manufacturing and spacecraft/satellite
maneuvering embodiments, it is highly desirable, if not absolutely
necessary, that the plasma stream, i.e., the ion beam, be
electrically neutral. The ion beams are typically generated by
stripping electrons off of atoms of the desired material to create
positively-charged ions. These positively-charged ions are
accelerated by an electric field and formed into a beam. Typically,
the positively-charged ions originate in a plasma.
[0009] However, due to space-charge limitations within the ion
beams, the charged ions in the ion beams tend not to stay tightly
packed in the beam. Rather, the ion beam tends to "blow apart" due
to the repulsive force between the similarly-charged ions.
Furthermore, positively-charged ion beams are attracted to
negatively-charged surfaces. For example, in the
spacecraft/satellite embodiments, if the beam remains
positively-charged, two problems arise. First, the
spacecraft/satellite itself becomes negatively charged when the
positive charge is emitted. Second, because the ion beam is
positively charged, it becomes attracted to the negatively-charged
spacecraft/satellite, and thus does not travel in a straight line
away from the spacecraft or satellite, or, in a worst-case leave
the spacecraft environment at all. Rather, the positively-charged
ions move within the electric field formed by the
negatively-charged spacecraft/satellite and return toward the
spacecraft/satellite due to the electrostatic attraction between
the negatively-charged spacecraft/satellite and the
positively-charged ions. As a result, a positively-charged ion beam
does not provide the proper thrust to appropriately maneuver the
satellite or spacecraft.
[0010] Typically, to avoid these problems, the positively-charged
ion beam is neutralized shortly after it leaves the ion beam
generating device by combining the positively-charged ion beam with
a beam of (negatively-charged) electrons. The combination of the
electrons and positively-charged ions renders the net plasma stream
neutrally charged. However, because of the relatively light weight
of the electrons, relative to the ions, the electrons do not
significantly affect the thrust provided by the ion beam. Moreover,
by extracting equal currents of ions and electrons, no net charge
accumulates in and/or on the spacecraft/satellite. Because the ions
in the plasma stream are now balanced by electrons, a net electric
field does not arise on the spacecraft or satellite. Thus, the
plasma stream moves in a straight line away from the satellite or
spacecraft, providing the desired thrust.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Conventionally, electron beams associated with spacecraft
are generated by hollow cathodes. However, hollow cathodes are
problematic for a number of reasons. First, as the hollow cathodes
are used to generate the desired electron beam, they are slowly
consumed. Typical maximum lifetimes for commercial hollow
electrodes are on the order of only three to four years.
Additionally, the present generation of hollow cathodes employ
barium oxide-tungsten (BaO--W) inserts as their emitting surface.
However, this emitting surface deteriorates over time. Once the
hollow cathode becomes inoperable, it is no longer possible to use
the electron generating device. Additionally, hollow cathodes are
difficult to ignite, either initially or if they should go out
during use, and can become contaminated, thus reducing their
efficiency.
[0012] One proposed solution for this limited lifetime is to
provide multiple hollow-cathode electron generating devices and/or
to provide multiple hollow cathodes within a single hollow-cathode
electron generating device. However, these solutions are
problematic for a number of reasons. First, for weight-limited
devices such as satellites and spacecraft, providing two electron
generating devices consumes valuable and limited weight and space
within the spacecraft/satellite. Second, even when two such
hollow-cathode electron generating devices are provided, it has not
always been easy to ignite the hollow cathode in the second
hollow-cathode electron generating device. This is also true when
multiple hollow cathodes are provided in the same hollow-cathode
electron generating device.
[0013] While hollow cathode-electron generating devices have
limited useful lifespans and the other problems outlined above,
they are generally well-understood devices that reliably provide
electron beams over their lifetimes. Any competing technology
should be at least as useful, reliable, and efficient or long-lived
as hollow cathode devices to be commercially successful.
[0014] This invention provides an electrode-less electron beam
generating device.
[0015] This invention separately provides systems and methods for
providing non-ambipolar electron flow in an electron generating
device.
[0016] This invention separately provides systems and methods for
providing total non-ambipolar electron flow in an electron
generating device.
[0017] This invention separately provides systems and methods for
creating an electron-generating plasma using magnetic induction to
generate currents in the plasma.
[0018] This invention separately provides systems and methods for
creating an electron-generating plasma using helicon-wave induction
fields to generate currents in the plasma.
[0019] This invention separately provides systems and methods for
improving electron extraction in an electron beam generating
device.
[0020] This invention separately provides systems and methods for
gridless non-ambipolar electron extraction of electrons from an
electron beam generating device.
[0021] This invention separately provides systems and methods for
extracting electrons from an electron beam generating device
through an electron sheath.
[0022] In various exemplary embodiments of systems, methods and/or
devices according to this invention, an electron beam generating
device produces electron beams from a plasma, where the plasma is
produced using radio-frequency (RF) fields and electron extraction
occurs through electron sheaths. In various exemplary embodiments,
an ion loss area is selected based on an electron extraction area,
the ion mass and the electron mass. In various exemplary
embodiments, the ion loss area is sufficiently large to allow for
total non-ambipolar electron extraction. In various exemplary
embodiments, the ions are lost to a negatively-biased conducting
surface. In various exemplary embodiments, the negatively-biased
conducting surface is a cylinder. In various exemplary embodiments,
electrons are extracted through a grounded ring that is mounted in
or behind an insulating boundary provided at one end of the
conducting cylinder. In various exemplary embodiments, the
electrons extracted from the plasma pass to or through the grounded
ring, while the ions are lost to the negatively-biased conducting
surface. In various exemplary embodiments, an axial magnetic field
that is parallel to the axis of the ring is used to enhance
electron extraction through the ring. In various exemplary
embodiments, the axial magnetic field also reduces the electron
current to the ring itself.
[0023] In various exemplary embodiments, an antenna located outside
of the negatively-biased conducting surface generates a varying RF
electromagnetic field around the electron beam generating device.
The antenna can be capacitively coupled to the plasma, inductively
driving currents in the plasma or inductively exciting helicon
waves, provided in the negatively-biased conducting cylinder
depending on the structure of the device and the plasma density. In
various exemplary embodiments, slots or other voids in a
negatively-biased conducting cylinder to allow the time-varying
magnetic fields provided by the antenna to extend into the interior
of the negatively-biased conducting cylinder to inductively couple
to the gas within the negatively-biased conducting cylinder. In
various exemplary embodiments, the negatively-biased conducting
cylinder acts as Faraday shield to reduce, and possibly eliminate,
any capacitive coupling of electric fields between the antenna and
the plasma. In various exemplary embodiments, a simple antenna is
used In various other exemplary embodiments, the antenna is
configured to allow inductive or helicon coupling to the
plasma.
[0024] In various exemplary embodiments, a non-conducting closed
surface is placed around the negatively-biased conducting cylinder
to confine the plasma and a source gas. In various exemplary
embodiments, electron extraction aperture dimensions of the
grounded electron extraction ring and the gas flow rate into the
chamber determine the appropriate neutral gas pressure within the
electron beam generating device. In various exemplary embodiments,
any neutral gas can be used.
[0025] In various exemplary embodiments, the device can be operated
with a variety of non-time-varying (DC) magnetic field
configurations. Given sufficient RF power, such steady-state or DC
magnetic fields allow helicon waves to be excited within the plasma
in the interior of the electron beam generating device. Helicon
waves allow the extracted electron current to be increased due to
increases in the plasma density. In various exemplary embodiments,
the steady-state or DC magnetic fields are aligned axially. In
various exemplary embodiments, the steady-state or DC axial
magnetic fields are produced by permanent magnets and/or by
electromagnets.
[0026] These and other features and advantages of various exemplary
embodiments of systems and methods according to this invention are
described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed
descriptions of various exemplary embodiments of various devices,
structures and/or methods according to this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods
according to this invention will be described in detail, with
reference to the following figures, wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a side-cross sectional view of a first exemplary
embodiment of an electron beam generating device according to this
invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a plan end view of a first end of the first
exemplary embodiment of the electron beam generating device shown
in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the other end of the first
exemplary embodiment of the electron beam generating device shown
in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 4 is side perspective view of the first exemplary
embodiment of the electron beam generating device shown in FIG.
1;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a side-cross sectional view showing in greater
detail a first exemplary embodiment of the extraction end of the
first exemplary embodiment of the electron beam generating device
shown in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing in greater
detail one exemplary embodiment of the supply end of the first
exemplary embodiment of the electron beam generating device shown
in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing in greater
detail a second exemplary embodiment of the extraction end of the
first exemplary embodiment of the electron-beam generating device
shown in FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 8 is side-cross sectional view of a second exemplary
embodiment of an electron beam generating device according to this
invention;
[0036] FIG. 9 is an end plan view of one end of the second
exemplary embodiment of the electron beam generating device shown
in FIG. 8;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a third exemplary
embodiment of an electron-beam generating device according to this
invention;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of one exemplary embodiment of
an electron beam generating device and antenna drive circuit
according to this invention;
[0039] FIGS. 12-15 show a plurality of different antenna designs
useable to create a plasma within the first and second exemplary
electron beam generating devices shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and 10;
[0040] FIG. 16 is a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of
a method for generating and extracting an electron beam according
to this invention.
[0041] FIG. 17 is a graph of the electron/particle current ratio as
a function of radio-frequency power and gas flow rate;
[0042] FIG. 18 is a graph of the generated currents as a function
of magnetic field strength; and
[0043] FIG. 19 is a graph of the plasma potential as a function of
radial distance from the axis of the ion collection surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Ion and Hall thrusters use beams of positively-charged ions
for propulsion. As discussed above, electrons or negative ions
should be introduced into the positively-charged ion beam as it
leaves the thruster. This is done to prevent the spacecraft from
becoming negatively charged and thus attracting the emitted
positively-charged ion beam.
[0045] Traditionally, hollow cathodes have been used as
neutralizing sources because of their high electron current density
and relatively low power requirements. However, the operational
lifetime of such hollow cathodes is limited by cathode
deterioration, cathode contamination, and other effects. This
limited operational lifetime for hollow cathodes renders hollow
cathodes less suitable for sustained use or where maintaining such
hollow cathodes is difficult or impossible.
[0046] Longer duration spacecraft missions that use ion propulsion,
such as the proposed Jupiter Icy Moons Mission (JIMO), will take
6-10 years for the total orbital transfer time. While using ion
propulsion for such longer duration missions is very beneficial
relative to impulsive chemical rocket burns, due to the savings in
fuel mass and time, the lifetime for some operating components for
ion propulsion, such as the hollow cathodes, may be limited to no
more than 3 to 4 years. The hollow cathode neutralizer and plasma
sources that were used for the highly successful Deep space 1 and
SMART-1 missions were limited to no more than 3 to 4 years of
operational lifetime due to significant erosion, sputtering and
re-deposition of material within the keeper region and surrounding
area of such devices.
[0047] The inventors have determined that radio-frequency (RF)
plasmas are attractive as sources for neutralizing charge carriers
for electric propulsion devices, such as Hall and ion thrusters.
Such radio-frequency plasmas allow for an electrode-less design and
provide high efficiency and long operational lifetimes.
Radio-frequency plasma sources provide an alternative neutralizing
approach that does not consume electrode material, while providing
electrons, allowing for a longer operational lifetime.
[0048] There are a variety of radio-frequency plasma sources,
including capacitive and inductive sources, that operate without
magnetic fields, and electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) sources and
helicon sources that require axial magnetic fields. Helicon sources
can produce the highest plasma densities, which can be greater than
10.sup.13/cm.sup.3, for a given radio-frequency power. However,
helicon sources also require magnetic fields. Lower RF power
emitted by the excitation antenna into the plasma requires higher
magnetic field strengths. For example, a 10 W radio-frequency
signal typically requires a 2000 Gauss magnetic field. In contrast,
lower magnetic field strengths require higher RF power into the
plasma. For example, a 300 Gauss magnetic field typically requires
the excitation antenna to emit 600 W. If sufficient power is not
available, helicon sources will operate as inductive sources.
Inductively coupled plasmas can achieve significant plasma
densities, such as, for example, 10.sup.10/cm.sup.3 to
10.sup.12/cm.sup.3 and allow for a large total electron extraction
current.
[0049] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an electron
beam generating device according to this invention that is useable
to generate a radio-frequency plasma that provides a beam of
electrons without an electrode. As shown in FIG. 1, in various
exemplary embodiments, the electron beam generating device 100
comprises a generally non-conductive exterior chamber 110, one or
more steady-state magnets 120, a conductive ion-collection surface
130, a radio-frequency antenna 140, an electron extraction ring
150, and connections 162 and 166 to a negative voltage source 160
and a reference ground voltage 164, respectively. FIGS. 2 and 3
show exterior plan views of supply and extraction end walls 114 and
118, respectively, of the non-conductive exterior chamber of the
electron beam generating device 100. FIG. 4 shows a side
perspective view of the electron beam generating device 100.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the non-conductive exterior chamber 110
comprises a non-conductive chamber surface 112, a non-conductive
supply end wall 114, and a non-conductive extraction end wall 118.
A gas supply tube 116 extends through the supply end wall 114 and
into an interior of the conductive ion-collection chamber 130. The
gas supply tube 116 supplies a feed gas 102 at least into an
interior space 106 that is enclosed by the non-conductive exterior
chamber 110. During operation, the electron beam generating device
100 forms a plasma 108 within in the interior space 106 such that
an electron beam 104 passes, along with the feed gas 102, through a
central aperture, hole or passageway 152 in the electron extraction
ring 150. The electron extraction ring 150 is located in, and
extends through, the extraction end wall 118 into the interior
space 106.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, in various exemplary embodiments, the
one or more steady-state magnets 120, such as the cylindrical
steady-state magnet 122, are arranged such that the south (or
north) poles of the one or more steady-state magnets 120 face the
supply end wall 114, while the north (or south) poles of the one or
more steady-state magnets 120 face the extraction end wall 118. It
should be appreciated that it is not important that the north end
faces the extraction side. However, the one or more steady-state
magnets 120 should produce a magnetic field that is aligned with
the axis of the center extraction aperture or passageway 152. As
shown in FIG. 1, in various exemplary embodiments, the at least one
steady-state magnet 120 can be located outside of and surrounding
the non-conductive exterior chamber 110.
[0052] It should be appreciated that, in various exemplary
embodiments, the non-conductive exterior chamber 110 is cylindrical
in cross section. Accordingly, in such exemplary embodiments, the
at least one steady-state magnet 120 has a corresponding
cylindrical central opening through which the non-conductive
exterior chamber 110 extends. However, it should be appreciated
that, in various other exemplary embodiments, the non-conductive
exterior chamber 110 can have any desired cross-sectional shape
that defines a simple closed curve, such as a circle, a regular or
irregular polygon or the like. Typically, the one or more
steady-state magnets 120 will be placed around the non-conductive
exterior chamber 110 such that the central passageway formed within
the at least one steady-state magnet 120 will closely follow the
surface of the non-conductive exterior chamber 110.
[0053] The one or more steady-state magnets 120 generate a
generally solenoidal magnetic field that extends along the axial
direction of the non-conductive exterior chamber 110. In various
exemplary embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1, the at least
one steady-state magnet 120 comprises only a first steady-state
magnet 122. In various exemplary embodiments, the first
steady-state magnet 122 is a permanent magnet. However, in various
other exemplary embodiments, the one or more steady-state magnets
120 can be electromagnets provided with a steady-state or DC
electric current.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive ion-collection surface
130 is provided adjacent to at least the extraction end wall 118
within the interior space 106 provided in the non-conductive
exterior chamber 110. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 1, in various
exemplary embodiments, the conductive ion-collection surface 130
closely follows the interior surface of the non-conductive exterior
chamber 110. The radio-frequency antenna 140 is placed around the
exterior of the non-conductive exterior chamber 110. The location
for the radio-frequency antenna 140 allows the radio-frequency
electric and/or magnetic fields generated by placing a
radio-frequency signal onto the radio-frequency antenna 140 to
interact with the feed gas 102 to create the plasma 108. In various
exemplary embodiments, the radio-frequency antenna 140 is formed
from a single turn of water-cooled copper pipe and can operate at
radio frequencies normally less than the electron cyclotron
frequency, where the electron cyclotron frequency f.sub.c is:
f c = eB 2 .pi. m e , ##EQU00001##
where:
[0055] e is the electron charge;
[0056] B is the magnetic field strength; and
[0057] m.sub.e is the electron mass.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 1, in various exemplary embodiments, the
conductive ion-collection surface 130 has a plurality of slots or
voids 132 formed in it. In various exemplary embodiments, these
slots or voids 132 extend from the end of the conductive
ion-collection surface 130 that is adjacent to the extraction end
wall 118 inwardly toward the other end of the conductive
ion-collection surface 130. In various exemplary embodiments, the
slots or voids 132 extend through, and 80%-90% of the way along the
axial length of, the conductive ion-collection surface 130. It
should be appreciated that, due to the slots or voids 132, the
conductive ion-collection surface 130 forms a Faraday shield. The
conductive ion-collection surface thus reduces, and ideally
eliminates, the time-varying electric field, generated by placing
the radio-frequency signal on the radio-frequency antenna 140, from
penetrating into the plasma chamber portion 131 of the interior
space 106 that is enclosed or surrounded by the conductive
ion-collection surface 130. At the same time, the slots or voids
132 in the conductive ion-collection surface 130 allow the
time-varying magnetic fields to penetrate into the plasma chamber
portion 131 of the interior space 106.
[0059] However, it should be appreciated that, in some exemplary
embodiments, it may be desirable to allow some capacitive coupling
to occur between the antenna 140 and the plasma 108. Such
capacitive coupling can be used to ignite the plasma. It should
further be appreciated that any other known or later developed
ignition device or structure that is usable to ignite the plasma
108 can be used. In such exemplary embodiments, capacitive coupling
between the antenna 140 and the plasma 108 can be substantially
eliminated, and, potentially, completely eliminated.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive ion-collection surface
130 is connected by a connection 162 to a relatively negative
voltage source 160. It should be appreciated that, in this context,
the voltage on the conductive ion collection surface 130 need only
be relatively negative, i.e., less than, compared to the voltage
applied to the extraction ring 150. Here, the difference in
potential between the plasma and the ion collection cylinder should
be much greater than the electron temperature, in eV, divided by
the electron charge. Consequently, the conductive ion-collection
surface 130 is at a negative potential with respect to the
extraction ring 150 and the plasma 108, and thus acts to attract
the positively-charged ions that are present within the plasma
108.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive ion-collection surface
130 has a surface area, or ion loss area, A.sub.i. It should be
appreciated that the ion loss area A.sub.i depends upon the axial
length of the conductive ion-collection surface 130, its shape and
surface conformation, and the area consumed by the slots or voids
132. In particular, the ion loss obtained by the conductive ion
collection surface 130 is a function of an effective ion loss area
A.sub.i that differs from the geometric A.sub.g and is determined
by the magnetic field B. It should be appreciated that, in various
exemplary embodiments, it is generally desirable to maximize the
surface or ion loss area A.sub.i of the conductive ion-collection
surface 130. Maximizing the ion loss area A.sub.i is desirable as
it provides the maximum electron extraction that is allowed by the
electron loss area A.sub.e. It is generally desirable to increase
the ion collection area A.sub.i because that determines the maximum
electron current that can be lost to the electron sheath. This
occurs when the relationship A.sub.e/A.sub.i.gtoreq. {square root
over (m.sub.e/m.sub.i)} is satisfied, i.e., total non-ambipolar
flow is obtained. In various exemplary embodiments, the
cross-sectional shape of the conductive ion-collection surface 130
closely follows the cross-section of the non-conductive exterior
chamber 110. In various exemplary embodiments, the non-conductive
exterior chamber 110 and the conductive ion-collection surface 130
are concentric cylinders.
[0062] The central aperture, hole or passageway 152 in the electron
extraction ring 150 allows the feed gas 102 and the electrons
obtained from the plasma 108 to be emitted from the electron beam
generating device 100 as the electron beam 104. As shown in FIG. 1,
the electron extraction ring 150 is connected by a connection 166
to a local ground potential 164.
[0063] The conductive ion-collection surface 130 acts as a radial
boundary for the plasma 108 and acts as the location for the
formation of an ion sheath, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, that prevents
electrons from leaking to the walls of the conductive
ion-collection surface 130 and/or the non-conductive exterior
chamber 110. In various exemplary embodiments, the cylindrical
conductive ion-collection surface 130 has between 1 and 8 or more
axial slots or voids 132. It should be appreciated that, while
there could be a larger number of slots, this would tend to
decrease the ion loss area A.sub.i and increase the penetration of
the time-varying electric fields. The axial slots or voids 132
allow the time-varying magnetic fields, generated by placing a
radio-frequency signal onto the radio-frequency antenna 140, into
the plasma chamber portion 131 of the interior space 106 that is
enclosed by the cylindrical conductive ion-collection surface 130.
At the same time, the conductive ion-collection surface 130 limits
the time-varying electric fields generated by placing the
radio-frequency signal onto the radio-frequency antenna 140 from
entering into the plasma chamber.
[0064] The electron extraction ring 150 creates an axial boundary
condition, limiting the ability of the ions and the feed gas 102 to
exit the interior space 106 through the central aperture, hole or
passageway 152. In various exemplary embodiments, the electron
extraction ring 150 creates a potential reference for the plasma
108 somewhere near the potential of the plasma 108. An electron
loss area A.sub.e is established within the aperture 152 of the
electron extraction ring 150. The electron loss area A.sub.e can be
as large as the area of the aperture 152. However, an electron
sheath usually forms near the extraction ring 150. As indicated
above, the electron extraction ring 150 can extend through the
extraction end wall 118. In various exemplary embodiments, the
electron extraction ring 150 extends into the interior space 106
from the extraction end wall 118 within the conductive
ion-collection surface 130.
[0065] The plasma 108 is formed by supplying the feed gas 102 from
a mass flow controller (not shown) to at least the interior space
106 through the gas supply tube 116. In various exemplary
embodiments, the feed gas 102 is argon (Ar), xenon (Xe), or other
noble gas. However, it should be appreciated that, in various other
exemplary embodiments, the feed gas 102 can be any desired
elemental gas, gas mixture or the like. In various exemplary
embodiments, the feed gas 102 flows from the gas supply tube 116
into a source, or plasma, region of the interior space 106 where
the feed gas 102 is excited by the radio-frequency antenna 140 to
form the plasma 108. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
this source region is the plasma chamber portion 131. It should be
appreciated that the feed gas 102 can be supplied into the interior
space 106 using the gas supply tube 116 or any other known or
later-developed device, structure or system that is capable of
supplying the feed gas 102 into the interior space 106.
[0066] FIGS. 2-4 show plan end views and a perspective view,
respectively of the exemplary embodiment of the electron beam
generating device 100 shown in FIG. 1. In particular, FIGS. 2-4
illustrate that, in various exemplary embodiments, the permanent
magnet or electromagnet 122 has a cylindrical space that allows the
cylindrical non-conductive exterior chamber 110 to extend through
the first steady-state magnet 122. This first steady-state magnet
122 produces an expanding magnetic field in the region of the
radio-frequency antenna 140 and the electron extraction ring 150.
The expanding magnetic field creates a cusp in the magnetic field
at the point where the north end of the first steady-state magnet
122 is axially adjacent to the end of the cylindrical conductive
ion-collection surface 130. It should be appreciated that the cusp
in the magnetic field is not critical. However, the effective ion
contact area, A.sub.i, created by the magnetic field needs to be
large enough to provide the desired electron current, following
Eqs. (3)-(6) set forth below. The magnetic field should be
relatively uniform near the extraction ring.
[0067] This solenoidal magnetic field ensures that the electrons
follow the magnetic field lines that pass through the central
aperture, hole or passageway 152, i.e., the exit region, of the
electron extraction ring 150. It should be appreciated that, for
spacecraft/satellites and other space and/or weight limited
structures, permanent magnets are relatively more useful than
electromagnets for the electron beam generating device 100, as they
do not require a power source for continued operation (in contrast
to electromagnets) and are relatively light weight compared to the
DC power source that would be required by electromagnets. It should
be appreciated that electromagnets provide an option where a
magnetic cusp does not exist. Electromagnets can better adjust the
strength of the magnetic field, which may increase the amount of
extractable electron current.
[0068] It should be appreciated that, in general, electron or ion
sheaths are non-neutral regions that usually form at plasma
boundaries to balance losses of electrons and ions born by
ionization within the plasma. An electron sheath is a non-neutral
region at the boundary of a plasma that only contains electrons for
potential steps much greater than T.sub.e/e (the plasma
temperature/electron charge ratio), formed in order to conserve
particle flux for the plasma as a whole. An electron sheath
exhibits a positive potential step with respect to the bulk plasma
potential. Normally, electron sheaths can exist near
positively-biased Langmuir probes, which extract small electron
currents from the plasma. However, electron beam generating devices
according to this invention can use an electron sheath to extract a
significant electron current from the plasma. Electron sheaths are
normally only present 1) near small probes when such small probes
are biased more positively than the plasma potential or 2) at
electron emitting surfaces in weakly-collisional, low-pressure
plasmas. The inventors have determined, experimentally, that an
electron sheath can collect all electrons produced by ionization if
sufficient ion loss area A.sub.i is provided for the ions,
according to Eq. (4), below.
[0069] If all of the boundaries are identical, then ambipolar flow
of the electrons and ions from the plasma is obtained. Ambipolar
flow refers to both the ions and electrons flowing and reaching a
physical boundary together. In such ambipolar flows, the ion loss
and the electron loss are balanced at each point on the boundary.
In contrast, in non-ambipolar flow, the particles flow from the
plasma to the plasma-sheath boundary together, but they do not
leave the other end of the sheath, i.e., traverse the sheath, with
the same current.
[0070] In contrast, if several different (i.e., non-identical)
boundaries are present, then at least some non-ambipolar flow is
created. Such non-ambipolar flow implies that, at least some points
along the boundary, the electron and ion flows do not balance. That
is, in such non-ambipolar flow, at some points along the boundary,
the electron flux is greater than the ion flux. An electron sheath
may exist at such points. In contrast, at various other boundary
points, the ion flux exceeds the electron flux. An ion sheath
exists at such points. It should be appreciated that an ion sheath
will also exist for normal ambipolar flow.
[0071] With non-ambipolar flow, while the electron and ion fluxes
do not balance locally, they continue to balance overall. If there
are no points within the plasma boundary where both electrons and
ions flow at the same time, the flow within the plasma can be
referred to as total non-ambipolar flow. By insuring total
non-ambipolar flow, all of the electrons in the plasma remain
available for extraction from the ion beam generating device.
[0072] FIG. 5 shows in greater detail a first exemplary embodiment
of the electron extraction end of the electron beam generating
device 100 shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 6 shows in greater detail the
supply end of the electron beam generating device 100 shown in
FIGS. 1-4. As shown in FIG. 5, an electron sheath 136 is formed
within the conductive ion-collection surface 130 that is adjacent
to the grounded electron extraction ring 150. It should be
appreciated that the plasma potential should be between the
extraction ring potential and the ion collection surface potential
for an electron sheath to exist. In contrast, an ion sheath 134 is
formed adjacent to the interior surface of the conductive
ion-collection surface 130. Thus, for a cylindrical conductive
ion-collection surface 130, the ion sheath 134 will be an annulus
closely following the interior surface of the conductive
ion-collection surface 130.
[0073] FIG. 7 shows in greater detail a second exemplary embodiment
of the electron extraction end of the electron beam generating
device 100 shown in FIGS. 1-4. As shown in FIG. 7, in this second
exemplary embodiment of the electron extraction end, the insulating
end cap 118 of the non-conductive exterior chamber 100 is replaced
with a conductive end cap 154 having an exit aperture 155.
Additionally, the conductive ion-collection surface 130 is provided
with a conductive end cap 138. Furthermore, an insulating member or
plate 156, having an aperture 157, is provided between the end caps
138 and 154. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the
insulating member or plate 156 and the end caps 138 and 154 are
positioned such that the end caps 138 and 154 are immediately
adjacent to, or even touching, the insulating member or plate 156.
This conductive end cap 138 contacts the conductive ion-collection
surface 130, so that both the conductive end cap 138 and the
conductive ion-collection surface 130 are at the same potential. In
various exemplary embodiments, the conductive end cap 138 can be a
separate element. In various other exemplary embodiments, the
conductive end cap 138 is an integral portion of the conductive
ion-collection surface 130.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, the electron extraction aperture 152,
which was provided in the electron extraction ring 150 in the first
exemplary embodiment of the extraction end of the electron beam
generating device 100, is now provided in the conductive end cap
138. Furthermore, the conductive end cap 154 is, in effect, the
electron extraction ring. However, it should be appreciated that,
in this exemplary embodiment, the electron extraction aperture 152
is located in the conductive end cap 138, as the electron sheath
forms in and/or adjacent to the aperture in the conductive end cap
138, rather than the aperture 156 in the conducive end cap 154.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 7, in various exemplary embodiments,
the apertures 152, 155 and 157 are generally equal in size and
location.
[0075] It should be appreciated that, in various other exemplary
embodiments, one or more appropriately-sized gaps can be provided
between the outer surface of the conductive end cap 138 and the
inner surface of the insulating member or plate 156 and/or the
inner surface of the conductive end cap 154 and the outer surface
of the insulating member or plate 157. In still other exemplary
embodiments, the insulating member or plate 156 can be removed
completely, with an appropriately-sized gap provided between the
end caps 138 and 154. This gap allows the two conductive end caps
138 and 154 to be at different potentials.
[0076] It should be appreciated that each of the exemplary
embodiments discussed above with respect to FIG. 7 allows the
extracted electron beam 104 to be accelerated away from the
electron beam generating device 100. Thus, it should be appreciated
that, in this second exemplary embodiment, the conductive end cap
154 replaces the extraction ring 150. However, the acceleration of
electrons and the extraction of electrons is still provided by the
electron sheath that is located in and/or adjacent to the electron
extraction aperture 152. Furthermore, the electron extraction
aperture 152 and the apertures 155 and 157 in the conductive end
cap 154 and the insulating member or plate 156, respectively, are
aligned to allow the extracted electron beam 104 and the neutral
gas 102 to exit both the plasma chamber 131 and the electron beam
generating device 100.
[0077] To maintain steady-state operation, the amount of electron
loss from the source plasma 108 must be balanced by an equal amount
of ion loss from the source plasma 108. Because electrons and ions
are born at an equal rate within the plasma 108 created by the
time-varying radio-frequency signal applied to the radio-frequency
antenna 140, it is desirable to provide an efficient loss mechanism
for the positively-charged ions, so that an equal amount of
electron current can be extracted from the plasma 108. It should be
appreciated that ion and electron losses, gas utilization rates,
plasma density and plasma potential effects all affect the total
amount of electron current that can be extracted from the electron
beam generating device 100. It should be appreciated that, in
general, the electron sheath 136 can extract almost all of the
random electron current from the plasma 108 that is incident upon
the electron sheath 136. In particular, the random electron flux
Joe, directed towards the electron sheath 136 in a weakly
magnetized plasma, at the edge of the electron sheath 136 is:
J 0 e = n 0 e e .alpha. e 4 8 T e .pi. m e , ( 1 ) ##EQU00002##
where:
[0078] n.sub.0e is the electron density in the plasma;
[0079] e is the electron charge; equal to
1.60217646.times.10.sup.-19 Coulombs;
[0080] .alpha..sub.e is an electron factor that takes into account
the drop in electron density associated with potential dips
preceding the electron sheath;
[0081] T.sub.e is the temperature of the plasma electrons, measured
in electron volts (eV); and
[0082] m.sub.e is the electron mass.
[0083] At the same time, the ion flux J.sub.0i at the ion sheath
edge is:
J 0 i = n 0 i e .alpha. i T e m i , ( 2 ) ##EQU00003##
where:
[0084] n.sub.0i is the ion density and should be equivalent to the
electron density n.sub.0e for singly-ionized ions;
[0085] .alpha..sub.i is an ion factor that takes into account the
drop in ion density in the presheath near the conductive
ion-collection surface.
[0086] T.sub.e is the temperature of the plasma electrons measured
in electron volts; and
[0087] m.sub.i is the ion mass.
[0088] For total non-ambipolar flow, the ratio of the electron loss
area to the ion loss area is found by setting I.sub.e=I.sub.i,
where I.sub.e=J.sub.0eA.sub.e and I.sub.i=J.sub.0iA.sub.i, and the
electron flux J.sub.0e to the ion flux J.sub.0i associated with
electrons created by ionization can be obtained by combining Eq.
(1) and Eq. (2) and is approximately equal to:
A e A i .apprxeq. .alpha. i .alpha. e 2 .pi. m e m i .apprxeq. m e
m i ( 3 ) ##EQU00004##
[0089] A limit to the existence of an electron sheath is provided
by the condition that the ion loss area A.sub.i be balanced by the
electron loss area A.sub.e it should be appreciated that, when the
ion loss area is too small, the electron beam device 100 will still
work, but this reduced ion loss area A.sub.i reduces the amount of
electron current that can be produced by forming a plasma potential
dip preceding the electron sheath, as discussed below. Assuming all
of the electrons are lost at the electron sheath 136, then:
A e A i .apprxeq. m e m i . ( 4 ) ##EQU00005##
assuming the electrons are radially confined. It should be
appreciated that an electron sheath will form without a potential
dip if:
A e .ltoreq. A i m e m i . ( 5 ) ##EQU00006##
However, an electron sheath will form with a potential dip in front
of it if:
A e > A i m e m i . ( 6 ) ##EQU00007##
[0090] It should be appreciated that, for large electron loss areas
A.sub.e, the electron sheath 136 is no longer a viable solution.
For such sufficiently large electron loss areas A.sub.e, only a
plasma potential more positive than the grounded electrode
potential, combined with an ion sheath 134, can provide the
necessary balance of electron and ion losses.
[0091] It should be appreciated that the net electron loss in
traditional devices, such as hollow cathodes, equals the sum of the
electrons born by ionization within the plasma, and electrons
injected into the plasma by thermionic emission at cathodes,
secondary electron emission and the like. However, electron loss
within the electron beam generating device 100 only comes from
electrons that are born by ionization and perhaps secondary
emission. It should also be appreciated that if the electron loss
area, A.sub.e, is too large, as defined in Eq. (6), then the
electron sheath will have a potential dip that reduces the
extracted electron current to balance that of the extracted ion
current in the device 100. As outlined above, such potential dips
occur when the electron extraction area A.sub.e is too large, i.e.,
the relationship defined in Eq. (6).
[0092] In one exemplary electron beam generating device built
according to the above-outlined discussion of various exemplary
embodiments of electron beam generating devices according to this
invention, a cylindrical pyrex chamber has a diameter of 7.5
centimeters and a length of 60 centimeters and was placed within
ferrite permanent magnets. A hollow graphite cylinder 7.5
centimeters in diameter and 19 centimeters long was placed within
the pyrex chamber and biased at a value between -5V to about -200V
compared to the potential on the extraction ring. An electrically
grounded 1.25 centimeter diameter graphite ring was placed inside
an insulating boron nitride disc and mounted in one end of the
cylindrical pyrex chamber. The hollow graphite cylinder was placed
adjacent to the electron extraction ring. A single-turn,
0.25-inch-diameter, water-cooled copper pipe was placed, as the
radio-frequency antenna, around the pyrex chamber toward the
extraction end of the pyrex chamber. In this exemplary embodiment,
the grounded electron extraction ring experienced a magnetic field
of 72 Gauss.
[0093] In this exemplary operating electron beam generating device,
ions are lost to the 7.5 centimeter diameter graphite cylinder,
which has an ion loss area of 425 cm.sup.2. In contrast, the
electron loss area A.sub.e is restricted to the central aperture,
hole or passageway in the 1.25 centimeter-diameter graphite
extraction ring, which has an area of 1.23 cm.sup.2. The 1.23
cm.sup.2 electron loss area A.sub.e implies that an ion loss area
of at least about 350 cm.sup.2 for argon (Ar) and at least about
640 cm.sup.2 for xenon (Xe) (assuming the electron and ion factors
have values of .alpha..sub.e.about.1, and .alpha..sub.i.about.0.5)
would be needed. When the plasma in this exemplary operating
electron beam generating device is operated with an argon feed gas
and a plasma density of 5.times.10.sup.12/cm.sup.3, a 15 A electron
current can be extracted through the central aperture, hole or
passageway having an electron loss area of 1.23 cm.sup.2. The 15 A
current was extracted with the following parameters: 1000 W RF
power at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, -50V bias on the ion collection
cylinder, 0V bias (grounded) on the extraction ring, an electron
loss area of 1.23 cm.sup.2, and an Ar neutral gas flow rate of 15
sccm with an aluminum ion-collection cylinder. 10 A electron
extraction current was obtained with a graphite ion-collection
cylinder with somewhat different dimensions.
[0094] A positively-charged ion born within an electron beam
generating device according to this invention is transported from
the bulk plasma through a presheath and then to the ion sheath,
where it contacts the conductive ion-collection surface and picks
up an electron, converting the positively-charged ion into a
neutral atom. The neutral atom is then free to travel back into the
bulk plasma within the plasma chamber portion to be re-ionized. At
any one time, only a small fraction, on the order of about 1 atom
out of 1000, of the neutral gas is ionized. However, as described
above, each neutral atom may be recycled many times, such as, for
example, up to 20 times or more, before that neutral atom finally
exits the electron beam generating device according to this
invention.
[0095] Typically, the neutral atoms will exit through the aperture
in the electron extraction ring. However, in contrast to the
neutral atoms, the positively-charged ions see a potential barrier
at the aperture in the electron extraction ring of the electron
beam generating device so that only neutrals and electrons can
leave the interior chamber. Reusing the neutral gas atoms in this
way is possible because the positively-charged ions, in contrast to
ion thrusters, are not being extracted through the exit aperture.
That is, when extracting ions, as in an ion thruster, the ion
outflow rate can never exceed the neutral inflow rate. However,
because the electron beam generating device according to this
invention is an electron source that extracts electrons, the
electron outflow rate can be many times the neutral gas inflow
rate. In general, the ratio of extracted electrons to the amount of
neutral gas exiting the electron beam generating device depends on
the plasma density, the electron temperature, the flow rate of
neutral gas into the interior chamber, and the size of the electron
extraction aperture.
[0096] It should be appreciated that, if higher plasma densities
are obtained, a higher electron current can be extracted from the
electron beam generating device or a correspondingly smaller
electron loss area A.sub.e can be used. Of course, it should be
appreciated that, by using a smaller electron loss area A.sub.e, a
correspondingly smaller ion loss area A.sub.i for the conductive
ion-collection surface can be used. It should be appreciated that
the electron extraction current cannot exceed the ion extraction
current that is controlled by the ion loss area A.sub.i. It should
be appreciated that using a smaller electron loss area A.sub.e has
the advantage of lower neutral gas losses.
[0097] For electron beam generating devices that are used as charge
neutralizers in satellite and/or spacecraft applications, it is
beneficial to produce the plasma 108 using a method that creates
the largest fraction of ionization possible, so that the neutral
feed gas 102 is not wasted. For example, if the plasma source were
100% efficient in ionizing a neutral gas 102, as it flows through
the interior space 106, and each neutral atom is used only once
before it touches the ion collection cylinder, a feed gas flow rate
of 1 sccm (standard cubic centimeter per minute) of argon allows
obtaining (is equivalent to) 0.072 A of extraction current.
[0098] However, the inventors have experimentally determined that,
when the feed gas 102 is neutral argon, the neutral argon feed gas
102 is more efficiently utilized to create extraction current at
flow rates between about 2.5 sccm and about 15 sccm. At these flow
rates, the amount of extraction current that can be obtained
corresponds to using every atom approximately 14 times as it passes
from the gas supply tube 116, through the plasma 108 and out
through the central aperture, hole or passageway 152 into a target
region. In conventional plasma-based electron sources, plasma ions
and electrons are both extracted. As indicated above, in various
electron beam generating devices according to this invention, any
ions that encounter the electron sheath are reflected. Furthermore,
all ions encounter the ion-collection walls and are re-circulated
as neutrals. As set forth in Eqs. (1) and (2), the amount of
extractable current is linear with the plasma density, which, in
turn, increases with radio-frequency power applied to the
radio-frequency antenna 140.
[0099] FIG. 17 is a graph showing the results of an experiment
using the above-outlined exemplary embodiment of an electron beam
generating device according to this invention. As shown in FIG. 17,
when the radio-frequency power is at or above about 400 W, for most
neutral gas supply flow rates into the electron beam generating
device, at least about 1 electron is extracted for each neutral
atom lost from the electron beam generating device through the
aperture in the electron extraction ring. Additionally, as the
radio-frequency power increases, for any flow rate, the electron
current-particle current ratio increases. As indicated above, at an
RF power of 1000 W and flow rates between about 3 sccm and about 15
sccm, ratios of about 10 to about 20 were obtained.
[0100] FIG. 8 shows a second exemplary embodiment of an electron
beam generating device 200 according to this invention. As shown in
FIG. 8, in this second exemplary embodiment, the electron beam
generating device 200 includes a non-conductive exterior chamber
210, at least one steady-state magnet 220, a conductive
ion-collection surface 230, a radio-frequency antenna 240, an
electron extraction ring 250, and a negative voltage source 260.
However, in contrast to the first exemplary embodiment of an
electron beam generating device 100 shown in FIGS. 1-7, in the
second exemplary embodiment of the electron beam generating device
200 shown in FIG. 8, the at least one steady-state magnet 220 is
placed at the rear of the device, rather than around the
non-conductive exterior chamber 210.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 8, the non-conductive exterior chamber 210
includes a non-conductive chamber surface 212, supply and
extraction end walls 214 and 218, respectively and the gas supply
tube 216. As in the first exemplary embodiment, the gas supply tube
216 passes through the interior of the at least one steady-state
magnet 220 and extends through the supply end wall 214, while the
electron extraction ring 250 is attached to the extraction end wall
218. The gas supply tube 216 supplies a feed gas 202 to an interior
space 206 within the non-conductive exterior chamber 210. The feed
gas 202 is converted into a plasma 208 within the conductive
ion-collection surface 230. Electrons extracted from the plasma 208
are ejected from the electron beam generating device 200 through
the central aperture, hole or passageway 252 in the electron
extraction ring 250.
[0102] A radio-frequency signal is applied to the radio-frequency
antenna 240. The electromagnetic field generated in response to
placing this RF signal on the radio-frequency antenna 240 is
inductively coupled to inductive or helicon modes through the slots
or voids 232 formed in the conductive ion-collection surface 230 to
the plasma 208 within the conductive ion-collection surface 230.
The negative voltage source 260 is connected by a conductor 262 to
the conductive ion-collection surface 230. The electron extraction
ring 250 is connected by a conductor 266 to a local reference
ground potential 264.
[0103] FIG. 9 shows a plan exterior view of the supply end wall
214, the at least one steady-state magnet 220 and the gas supply
tube 216 of the electron beam generating device 200. As shown in
FIG. 9, the at least one steady-state magnet 220 is a single,
annularly-shaped permanent magnet. However, it should be
appreciated that an electromagnet could be used as the steady-state
magnet 220. Additionally, two or more separate magnet segments
could be used to implement the annular steady-state magnet 220.
[0104] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in various exemplary embodiments,
the annular steady-state magnet 220 is relatively thin, with a
central void that is substantially larger than the gas supply tube
216. In such exemplary embodiments, the gas supply tube 216 can be
placed along the axis of the magnet 220 and the non-conductive
exterior chamber 210. However, the gas supply tube 216 could be
placed anywhere within the interior of the magnet 220. In various
other exemplary embodiments, the annular steady-state magnet 220 is
thick, with a central passageway that is only slightly larger than
the gas supply tube 216. In such exemplary embodiments, the gas
supply tube 216 is typically placed along the axis of the magnet
220 and the non-conductive exterior chamber 210.
[0105] FIG. 10 shows a variation of the second exemplary embodiment
of the electron beam generating device 200 according to this
invention, where the steady-state magnet 220 is a solid cylinder or
other solid shape and the gas supply tube 216 extends through the
sidewall 212 of the non-conductive exterior chamber 210 rather than
the end wall 214. In this exemplary embodiment, the gas supply tube
216 also extends through the side wall, rather than the end wall,
of the conductive ion-collection surface 230. It should be
appreciated that the gas supply tube 216 can be located anywhere
along the axial length of the non-conductive exterior chamber
210.
[0106] One advantage provided by the magnetic field generated by
the one or more steady state magnets 120 or 220 is that it
increases the plasma density. The magnetic field also reduces the
relative electron losses to the extraction ring, while allowing the
electron sheath to form at or near the extraction aperture. This
makes the electron beam extraction device more efficient and
increases the maximum current that can be produced by the electron
beam extraction device.
[0107] FIG. 18 is a graph showing the results of an experiment
using the exemplary embodiment of an electron beam generating
device 100 according to this invention. The graph shown in FIG. 18
demonstrates the importance of the presence of the magnetic field
at the exit aperture of the electron beam extraction device. As
shown in FIG. 18, as the magnetic field strength increases, the
extraction current I.sub.e increases. This occurs because the
plasma density increases as the magnetic field strength increases.
At the same time, as shown in FIG. 18, the current I.sub.ring that
is lost to the electron extraction ring stays substantially
constant even as the magnetic field strength increases. As a
consequence, the fraction of the extraction current that is lost to
the electron extraction ring I.sub.ring decreases significantly
with increasing magnetic field strength.
[0108] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of one exemplary embodiment of
an electron beam generating device 300 and associated antenna drive
circuitry according to this invention. As shown in FIG. 11, a
negative voltage source 360 is connected by a conductor 362 to a
conductive ion-collection surface 330 that is contained within the
electron beam generating device 300. The negative voltage source
360 is also connected by a conductor 363 to a reference ground
potential 364. An electron extraction ring 350 is connected by a
conductor 366 to the ground potential 364 as well. A
radio-frequency antenna 340 is placed adjacent to, and around, the
conductive ion-collection surface 330. Ends of the radio-frequency
antenna 340 are connected by signal lines 396 to a matching circuit
390. A function generator 370 generates and outputs a time-varying
radio-frequency electric signal on a signal line 372 to a
radio-frequency amplifier 380. The radio-frequency amplifier 380
amplifies the radio-frequency time-varying electric signal output
by the function generator 370. The radio-frequency amplifier 380
outputs the amplified radio-frequency signal on a signal line 382
to the matching circuit 390.
[0109] FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a variety of additional
radio-frequency antenna designs that can be used in place of the
radio-frequency antennas 140, 240 and 340 shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and
11. It should be appreciated that different ones of these
radio-frequency antennas are appropriate for different plasma
densities and/or different operational modes, such as the inductive
coupled mode and the helicon mode.
[0110] FIG. 16 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a method for
generating an electron beam and using the generated electron beam
to neutralize a positively-charged ion stream according to this
invention. It should be appreciated that this is only one exemplary
use of an electron beam generating device according to this
invention, which could be used for any other appropriate known or
later-developed use, as outlined above. In particular, FIG. 16
illustrates the actions that occur to a given quantity of gas. It
should be appreciated that, as gas is continually introduced into
the device, all of steps S100-S700 occur simultaneously relative to
different quantities of gas or electrons. As shown in FIG. 16,
beginning in step S100, operation of the method continues to step
S200, where gas is introduced into a vacuum chamber at very low
pressures and at a defined flow rate. Then, in step S300, the
introduced gas is inductively ionized to form a plasma. Then, in
step S400, an ion potential V.sub.I is applied to an ion collection
cylinder, while a reference ground potential is applied to an
electron extraction ring of the electron beam generating device.
Operation then continues to step S500.
[0111] In step S500, a non-ambipolar flow of ions towards the ion
collection cylinder and electrons towards the electron extraction
ring is created. In various exemplary embodiments, this
non-ambipolar flow is a total non-ambipolar flow. Next, in step
S600, electrons are ejected through the electron extraction ring
while neutral gas passes through the electron extraction ring.
Then, in step S700, the extracted electrons are combined with a
positively-charged ion stream to neutralize the positively-charged
ions in the ion stream. Operation then continues to step S800.
[0112] In step S800, a determination is made whether to continue
introducing the supply gas into the vacuum chamber. If so,
operation jumps back to step S500 and steps 500-700 are repeated.
In contrast, if additional gas is not to be introduced into the
vacuum chamber, operation continues to step S900, where operation
of the method ends.
[0113] In various exemplary embodiments, the amount of electron
current can be extracted from an electron beam extraction device
according to this invention varies linearly with the plasma
density. In turn, the plasma density increases as the
radio-frequency power increases. In experiments performed by the
inventors, the extracted current increase linearly with increases
in the radio-frequency power and did not indicate a saturation
point at high radio-frequency powers, indicating room for future
progress. At radio-frequency powers between 60 W and 90 W, the
plasma did not visually fill the entire conductive ion-collection
surface, thus decreasing the effective ion loss area A.sub.i,
resulting in decreased ion collection current.
[0114] As the DC bias on the conductive ion-collection surface was
decreased from 0V to -60V, the conductive ion-collection surface
repelled a larger number of electrons away from the conductive
ion-collection surface. This increased the local plasma density,
which then allowed the conductive ion-collection surface to collect
more ion current. The measured electron current from an electron
beam extraction device according to this invention agreed closely
with the total amount of ion extraction current. This shows that,
in some exemplary embodiments, all of the electrons that are lost
within the electron beam extraction device according to this
invention are lost through the electron extraction ring.
[0115] One complication to understanding the electron extraction
from the plasma source is the plasma potential difference between
the plasma side and the extraction side. Regardless of the bias on
the conductive ion-collection surface within the electron beam
extraction device according to this invention, the plasma potential
of the target side remained more positive than the potential of the
plasma source region. At the same time, the plasma potential within
the plasma source region remained more positive than the potential
on the conductive ion-collection surface.
[0116] In experiments, the respective plasma source and conductive
ion-collection surface potentials were -10V and -50V. It should be
appreciated that, in these experiments, the extraction ring was
grounded. Accordingly, this allowed ion loss through an ion sheath
to the conductive ion-collection surface within the source region.
Similarly, the plasma potential in the region around the extraction
aperture remained more positive than the plasma potential in the
region. This indicated the existence of an electron sheath at the
boundary between the plasma region and the electron extraction ring
and aperture that is extracting electrons from the plasma.
[0117] As discussed above, the conductive ion-collection surface
acts as a Faraday shield. By using the conductive ion-collection
surface as a Faraday shield, the plasma potential did not fluctuate
significantly. In contrast, when the ion-collection surface/Faraday
shield was modified in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, so
that it was no longer underneath the radio-frequency antenna, a
large AC fluctuating plasma potential was created. Without the
conductive ion-collection surface/Faraday shield, there was
significant capacitive coupling between the radio-frequency antenna
and the plasma. As a result, the plasma potential oscillated back
and forth, with a peak-to-peak oscillation of over 100V. Canceling
the fluctuating plasma potential by using the conductive
ion-collection surface/Faraday shield, is, in various exemplary
embodiments, beneficial, as it allows for larger and more stable
extraction currents to be obtained.
[0118] The conductive ion-collection surface provided the necessary
ion loss area A.sub.i, while the smaller grounded electron
extraction ring was used to extract the electrons through an
electron sheath into a target region. It is possible, using an
electron beam extraction device according to this invention, to
scale the extracted electron current based on the total amount of
the ion loss area A.sub.i of the conductive ion-collection surface
that is located within the source plasma. The total amount of
extracted electron current from an electron beam extraction device
according to this invention is ultimately limited by one or more of
the ion loss area A.sub.i, the electron loss area A.sub.e, the
neutral gas flow rate, and the radio-frequency power.
[0119] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives,
modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial
equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently
foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary
skill in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the
invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not
limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is
intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives,
modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial
equivalents.
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